PPG glass helps Pittsburgh building earn LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE certification

Advanced, low-e glasses by PPG featured on two of world’s seven “living” buildings – PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) announced that the Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, has become the second building constructed with PPG glass to meet the LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE(TM) (LBC), the world’s most rigorous green design and construction standard. 

SOLARBAN(R) 60, SUNGATE(R) and STARPHIRE(R) glasses by PPG are integral to a comprehensive energy management system that helps the center generate more energy than it consumes, enabling it to meet one of seven specific performance criteria established in the LBC.

Two types of insulating glass units (IGUs) are deployed in the center, which was designed as a long, narrow rectangle to enable light to penetrate every portion of the building. Sungate low-emissivity (low-e) glass is combined with Starphire ultra-clear glass and conventional clear glass above the structure’s sunshade and light shelves. Triple-pane IGUs configured with Solarban 60 solar control, low-e and Starphire glasses are used on lower portions of the façade.

PPG glasses enable the glazing system to transmit more than 60 percent of available daylight while blocking nearly 70 percent of the sun’s heat energy. Combined with building-integrated photovoltaic cells and a thermal well system that produces 70 percent of the building’s heating and cooling energy, these performance attributes help the center generate more power than it consumes.

The Center for Sustainable Landscapes is the first facility in the world to earn four major green building certifications, including LEED(R) certification at the platinum level by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC); WELL Platinum Pilot Certification, the highest rating awarded by the International WELL Building Institute; and THE SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE(TM) program, or SITES(TM) program.

Solarban 60 glass also is glazed on the Energy Lab at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Kameula, Hawaii, which the Center for Sustainable Landscapes joins as one of seven buildings worldwide to achieve full LBC certification.

PPG is the first and only U.S. float glass manufacturer to earn recognition through the CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFIED(TM) program for its products, and it offers more architectural glasses certified through the program than does any other float glass manufacturer. To learn more about high-performance PPG glasses, visit www.ppgideascapes.com or call 1-888-PPG-IDEA (774-4332).

Photography by Jim Schafer

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) announced that the Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, designed with SOLARBAN(R) 60, SUNGATE(R) and STARPHIRE(R) glasses by PPG, has met standards of the LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE(TM) (LBC), the world’s most rigorous green design and construction program. The honor makes the Center for Sustainable Landscapes the first facility in the world to earn four major green building certifications, including LEED(R) certification at the platinum level by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC); WELL Platinum Pilot Certification, the highest rating awarded by the International WELL Building Institute; and THE SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE(TM) program, or SITES(TM) program.

About the Living Building Challenge

Administered by International Living Future Institute, the Living Building Challenge requires buildings to comply with 20 imperatives in seven performance categories including place, energy, water, health and happiness, materials, equity, and beauty. Certification is based on actual – rather than modeled or anticipated – performance, and projects must meet all assigned imperatives for at least 12 consecutive months prior to evaluation to earn full program certification. The program’s mission is to encourage the creation of living buildings, landscapes and communities in countries around the world while inspiring, educating and motivating a global audience about the need for fundamental and transformative change.

PPG: Bringing innovation to the surface.(TM)

PPG Industries' vision is to be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were $15.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark and Solarban, Starphire and Sungate are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

LEED – an acronym for the phrase “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” – is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Living Building Challenge is a trademark of the International Living Future Institute.

Cradle to Cradle Certified is a trademark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

Other third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners.